COMFORT IN VICTORY

JOHN 14:28–31

“And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe”

(John 14:29).

Christ here gives more reasons why the disciples should be comforted. First, even though Jesus would be leaving them, He promised to return. And indeed, this is the hope of all God’s people, that we are not left to the despairs of this world but we look forward to our Lord coming again in all His glory. Then, He will gather His loved ones to Himself, and we will dwell with Him in true happiness and tranquility. What a great comfort, then, to know that Christ will return just as He promised!

Second, He would be going to the Father, “who is greater.” This statement by no means undermines the deity of Christ and the equality He shares with His Father. The context has to do with Christ’s mediatorial work and future exaltation. His going to the Father would be “greater,” more glorious than His present state, than the sorrows and struggles He had experienced in His earthly ministry. His going to the Father was also greater because it was only when He ascended to the Father that His humiliation would come to an end. Then, He would bring all His followers with Him into that greater glory, where they would rejoice in the exaltation of Christ and in the love of the Father. This is our comfort and our hope, that we will dwell with the Father in glory and holiness.

Third, the disciples’ faith would be strengthened once they witnessed the fulfillment of Christ’s words. He had told them that He would die for them and that He would rise again. Until that happened, their understanding was weak. But once everything Christ had said came to pass, they would finally believe His testimony concerning Himself.

Fourth, at the cross the conflict between Christ and Satan would reach its climax. But our guiltless Lord would triumph! Satan “had nothing” on Christ, nothing with which he could accuse, no charge he could lay at His door. Christ would arise victorious from the conflict, purchasing redemption for His own.

And lastly, we take comfort in knowing that Christ obeyed His Father’s will. Out of love, the Son obeyed His Father’s commandment. In the same way, let us show our love to God by submitting to His will and bringing glory to Him through our obedience.

CORAM DEO

Psalm 139–141

1 Corinthians 10:1–13

WEEKEND

Psalm 142–147

1 Corinthians 10:14–11:15

Spend some time today meditating on each of these points of comfort. Pray through each, thanking Christ for keeping His promise to return, of taking His people to a greater place, of strengthening your faith, of triumphing over evil, and of showing you what it means to obey out of love.

For further study: Titus 2:11–15 • Heb. 2:14–18 • 1 John 2:28–29 • Rev. 3:21

WEEKEND